WHY CHIEFS COULD STUMBLE AGAINST UNITED FC

I have watched a lot of Kaizer Chiefs games since the beginning of the season – both in league and cup competitions. I have seen how effective their transition play has been and I am must admit that Stuart Baxter did bring life to this Chiefs team.

However, I am not convinced if this transition play will work against a team like United FC especially in the semifinals where everyone can see the finish line. This is because United FC coach Dan Malesela has employed a system that suits all his quality midfielders.

Transition play is often ineffective when there are too many bodies in the midfield, because it requires spaces where the possession can be played, and at times Baxter seemed to have no plan B when this occurs – Maritzburg, Arrows and Celtic (in the Nedbank) managed to do that.   

They are dynamic and play without a natural striker, but they have been scoring goals. Malesela played 7 midfielders and 3 defenders against Warriors and scored three goals. Though, they seem to be vulnerable at the back, United FC defenders are also capable of scoring goals.

PSYCOLOGICAL BOOST

United have nothing to lose going into this match and playing against a big team like Chiefs is a morale boost for them. Majority of their players are unknown, almost the entire starting line-up.

Coaches will always say “players need a little or no motivation at all when playing either Chiefs or Pirates” and I am anticipating the same quote from Malesela in his pre-match interview. Being in the semifinal for the first time could affect United FC players psychologically, but beating Chiefs will certainly be a motivation.

The fact of the matter is Chiefs have never been in the semis of the Nedbank Cup before and the pressure of wanting to lift two trophies this season could act against them. This is what United FC will capitalize on, frustrate them until they crack and then score goals.

Chiefs have also had problems against minnows and that is always at the back of their minds every time they are drawn against a club from lower ranks. United FC will definitely take advantage of this. Well, it is true that they managed to overcome Polokwane City in the last 16 match, but City had a few opportunities that they should have converted into goals.

CONCLUSION

Honestly, United FC cannot match the quality that Chiefs have in their squad, but they can definitely cause an upset if they believe and their names could permanently be written in the history books of South African football. It’s all in the mind at the end of the day.  

By Ernest Makhaya

     

Sundowns is the limit!

Sundowns is the limit!

It is heartbreaking to see “our” Mamelodi Sundowns where they are on the log this season, considering the fact that the same Sundowns team is amid the “Big 3” in South African football. The worrying factor though is not the position they find themselves in, but the position they find themselves in with so much quality in their squad.

Majority of these players were once regarded as players that could one day bring a smile to South African football fans by representing us in the national team. All that has vanished, because we see a little of them in the field of play, but a lot of them at the local malls.

It seems to me that, the minute our players sign contracts with Sundowns, that’s when they commit career suicides. Why is that? These players vaporize in no time after joining Sundowns. I cannot blame the big bucks they getting at Downs, because every player deserves to be paid.

I however, blame the strategy Sundowns use in luring these players to Chloorkop. Normally, Downs double or even triple the amount of the player which is not good for our football, because they certainly believe that their future is secured after signing long term contracts with Downs. 

A quick look at a few players that have been the victims of this strategy in recent seasons:

1.       Sibusiso Khumalo joined from Moroka Swallows and was regarded as one player that could challenge Siphiwe Tshabalala in the national team.

2.       Ramahlwe Mphahlele, a former under-23 captain who was deemed to take over from Aaron Mokoena in the Bafana team. Also joined from Moroka Swallows.

3.       Richard Henyekane, a player who won the top scorer award with 19 strikes while at Arrows and also played for Bafana while with the Durban-based side, but his performance dropped since joining Downs. 

4.       Musa Nyatama, a very talented midfielder that was in command during his days at Maritzburg United. A potential Bafana player, but has also failed to live up to the expectations at Downs.

5.       Thami Sangweni, got a few Bafana call-ups while at Usuthu, but none since joining Downs. At least KZN fans did warn him before his move big move to the Brazilians. Had a few great games in Downs colours, but injuries cost him a place in the starting line-up.

6.       Edward Manqele, oh what a striker! This is a player that can score +10 goals every season, but we have seen him struggle at his new club and that has cost him a place in the Bafana squad, and has scored fewer goals that expected this season. 

Our national team has lost six talented players. Now the Sky is NOT the limit BUT SUNDOWNS IS THE LIMIT, although it is not too late for some of them to rescue their careers. Thuso Phala (former Sundowns) took a giant step in resurrecting his career. One player that really didn’t look bothered by the situation was Manqoba Ngwenya (former Sundowns) and it was too little to late when he left the Brazilians. 

COULD MONEY BE THE PROBLEM? 

I was fortunate enough to witness the formation of FC AK a few years ago. They acquired big name players such as Abednego Netshiozwi, Edelbert Dinha, Charles Yohane, Michael Babale and Sailor Tshabalala.

However, the team couldn’t live up to the expectations and even today, they are still looking for their first PSL promotion, and with Sundowns still searching for their first silverware in five years, I truly believe that ALL IS NOT WELL in teams that we regard as tycoons.

SOLUTION

I will advice Mr President to “smash” and part ways with the backroom stuff at Downs in order to see changes in the field of play. Changes have been brought in the squad, new players – Alje Schut, Samuel Julies and others, but they still experiencing the same problems. Hence drastic changes in the management of the Sundowns team are needed.  

By Ernest Makhaya